Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-10-29
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, Oct. "a, 1887.
The number of interesting cases be-
fore the Supreme Court of the United
States probably has not been 30 large
for years as at the present time.
Among the number I may mention
the cases Of the Virginia State Off
cials, who have been released under
writs of habeas corpus-the trial be-
ing set for hearing on the first Mon
day in November the appeal of the
Chicago anarchists, whose counsel,
Generals Roger A. Pryor and Ben
jamin F. Butler, have applied for a
writ of s~upercedas, to be heard next
Thursday. Besides these, there are a
number of prohibition cases, all of
which, the first named included, in
volve constitutional questions of the
gravest import to the legal rights OF
the citizens. Hence their importance
and the general interest that attaches
to them.
Civil Service is to the front, both in
the departments, where the examina'
ton of the clerks has been resumed,
and in the public prints, where the
d~iverging views of Civil Commission
ers Oberly and Edgerton furnish cur
rent topics of editorial comment anG
private discussion. Mr.. Edgertor
boldly takes issue with his colleague
on the position taken by him in re
gard to the alleged illegality of Gov
eminent employees being active mem
bers of political associations, and as
serts his belief that there is nc goo(
foundation either in law or in reason
for such a conclusion.
Secretary Bayard authorizes a de
NAL of the reported difference between
Attorney-G General Garland and him
self over the question of the Alaskan
seal fisheries. Some Washington
newspapers and correspondents, il
their zeal to furnish sensational news
have even gravely stated that Secre
tary Bayard would surely resign !
the President did not endorse hi
views. g q.#f.
During the past week there was
convention of Agricultural Scientist:
representing all the agricultural co
leges and experimental stations in tn
United States. This meeting wa
provided for by a special act of Cor
gress, with the view of fostering pre-
gressive methods and measures c
farming and increasing the produC
ing capacity ofthe land in cultivation
The proceedings of the conventio
were very harmonious and satisfa'
tory, and its deliberations will doub'
less result in great and lasting goo
to the agricultural interests of tn
country.
The State Department has announ'
ed the ratification of the extraditio
treaty with Guatemala, which we
sent to the Senate many years ago
during Grants Presidency-the las
clause being as follows: ''Neitht
Government shall be required
give up its own citizens under tn
stipulations of this convention" TIL
treaty is significant as showing a r.
turn to the old Democratic doctriI
, of firmly dealing with foreign n:
tions.
3 The fact that Postmaster Gener'
Villas was the only member of tt
Presidents Cabinet who accompanie
him on his late tour is considered
8 great political significance in son.
quarters, as 1t is thought to foreshaC
: Ow a Vice-Presidential candidaC
on the part of the gentleman namet
There are those who believe that NJ
Villas has more ambitious design
that his real purpose is to place hin
l self in training with the view of SUI
ceeding his present chief in 1892.
The Capitol has been overhaule
and renovated, preparatory to IL
t coming of the national solon
{ Among the improvements are ell
: CANT new carpets, and new cove
i ing for the desks.
The candidates for the various of
: ces in the gift Of the House are maj
: ing an unusually vigorous canvas
t While there is no possible way